1
as in to elevate
to assign a high status or value to
a movie that aggrandizes the bad guys and makes the cops look like dopes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number
a generous grant, enabling the library to significantly aggrandize its collection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aggrandize
Part of him wants to aggrandize the country to reflect his own inflated self-conception.
—
Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
This was a quintessential Kornet moment, surreptitiously aggrandizing while capturing the spirit of his accomplishment.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggrandize
Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the war, state-run media have aggrandized Russian wins on the battlefield, while downplaying or ignoring news to the contrary.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
This was a quintessential Kornet moment, surreptitiously aggrandizing while capturing the spirit of his accomplishment.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In the Caribbean, San Juan’s rebirth following hurricanes and the pandemic is marked by an inaugural culinary festival, thanks to the very innovators who have aggrandized the tiny island’s bold flavors around the globe.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aggrandize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggrandize
Verb
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In the evenings, Sankofa hosts film screenings and book talks to elevate the work of Black filmmakers and authors.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just coming in, being able to get a fresh start, being able to get around some great people and just being able to elevate at the end of the day.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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This sprawling, unchecked population growth just increases water demand.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Twins plan to promote Kendry Rojas to the big-league roster in time for Tuesday’s series opener at the New York Mets, according to a team source.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The busy World's Most Beautiful cover star is promoting two films at the same time, and appears to be rocking bangs for her Devil Wears Prada 2 press and her regular face-framing layers for Mother Mary events (like this one, a week after the one above).—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the climate crisis accelerates and urban populations boom, wildfires across the world are becoming larger, burning hotter, and harder to tackle, experts told CNN.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Something else must be accelerating these particles, but scientists don’t yet know what.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy's ability to spot and track other ships.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy’s ability to spot and track other ships.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Denver officials want to boost the city’s boogie businesses.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aggrandize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggrandize. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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